28 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

Good morning everyone. Things were quiet overnight, but we've heard a recent radio report of orcas headed west towards the Reserve. Soon, we may hear them. It's a wet & windy morning here.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 09:59:25 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We've begun hearing echolocation & G clan calls (sound like I31s) close to the Critical Point hydrophone. There may well be others headed west too.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 10:07:36 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Lots of movement now, groups are filing through & past the Ecological Reserve. So far we have heard I33s, A5s but more on the way.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 11:58:43 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It is really sounding like the whole gang is back, A30s, A36s, A12s, A4s,A5s,I15s, and I33s. Still moving west.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 12:54:46 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Actually these groups are spread from Telegraph Cove back to west of the Reserve.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 12:59:58 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

I should mention that the A36s are at the western end of Blackfish and so far today the I35s have been seen in the groups furthest west (I15s are included in this group.)
Helena
28 Aug 2007 13:10:59 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The whales are not far off the entrance to Blackney Pass and CP area. Recently, A4s were the loudest. It is only 1/2 hour to the slack tide and then the tide will ebb. Will this be enough to encourage them all out via Blackney? Or will the stay Strait sid?
Helena
28 Aug 2007 17:04:14 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Definitely stayed Strait side.The calls were distant for so long we began to wonder if they were headed back to the west. Fortunately, calls got louder and we now believe the whales (the A12s,A30s,A4s.A5s,I15s,A36s have been heard) are headed to the Robson Bight area.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 18:43:10 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Getting even closer to Critical Point. The I31s need to be added to the list. No one left, the A36s came in. The wind has dropped (quite windy today),however, the rain continues.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 19:04:54 PDT

No orcas present.

And east they all went! - some 12 hours after arriving back from the east this morning.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 21:48:05 PDT